Open Six Blocks Problem

Character

Dialogue

Teacher:

In my class, I did the six blocks problem -- that's the one where students try to make as many velocity graphs as they can which occupy six blocks of area. And then they discuss what is the same, and what is different about each graph, right?

Mentor:

Could you show me some of the things your students did?.

Teacher:

Well of course, one student made a graph that is 6 units high, and 1 second long.


(demonstrates to Mentor This simulation goes very fast for a short while. )

Mentor:

 I see. Uh-huh.

Teacher:

 And another student made a graph that is 3 units high for 2 seconds long, like this.


(demonstrates to mentor, reset, run simulation).

Mentor:

Mentor: And what did they say is "different" and "the same" about those two situations.

Teacher:

 It took them a while to notice that all the graphs go to six meters. But they quickly noticed the different speeds. Not many of them noticed the elapsed time.